Liberation Theology as a Double Polarity

JOURNAL ARTICLE CRITIQUE of Uchegbue, Christian O. “Liberation Theology as a Double Polarity,” Asia Journal of Theology 22 no 1 (April 2008): 14-25 THEO 525 DLP (fall 2009) Systematic Theology I Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary This is a critique of the journal article, “Liberation Theology as a Double Polarity”,[i] in which the author advances the question: is “Liberation Theology – Marxist or Christian? [ii] This critique will attempt to adjudicate the authors position of a lack of relative ascendancy of either perception for liberation theology within the continuum of Marxism and Christianity and the incompatible yet independent sufficiency of both. The authors’ contention in this article is that liberation theology can be considered both Christian and Marxist even though there seems to be irreconcilable, diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive aspects delineating the two distinct conceptions of liberation theology.

To this he has to say The claims on both ends seem so indisputable and irreconcilable that the only escape route is to allow them to stand side by side on their own respective merits as the two indestructible sides of the same coin. Therefore, we can see liberation theology paradoxically as both authentically Christian and authentically Marxist. It is a double polarity, a movement of ideology with two irreconcilable yet indisputable sides. [iii]

In elaborating both positions he logically demonstrates that both fulfill the definition of liberation theology. He asserts that Christian liberation theology has four important aspects of the phenomenon, namely, its ontological convictions, its historical origins, its methodological approach as well as its logical inclinations. [iv] However it is equally a reflection of Marxism in that it adopts the principle of class struggle, which is at the root of Marxism as an axiom. v] Considering the ontological convictions and historical origins of Liberation theology, it can be regarded as an authentic Christian theology. However, considering its methodological approach (especially its often advocacy of violence as a legitimate means of structural transformation) and its logical inclination in favor of the oppressed and the class struggle, liberation theology can be regarded as authentically Marxist. [vi]